[net.misc] god and Man

wbpesch@ihuxp.UUCP (Walt Pesch) (03/27/84)

>"In fact, it has nothing to do with the existence of god or not.  The
>only thing thast I might argue is that it is a proof that your god
>does not exist, for how can any being that is wholly good create the
>pain, sorrow, and suffering (and other non-goods) that afflict this
>world.  It couldn't come from good.  Therefor, your god could not have
>created this world.  And therefor, you're foolin' yourself." -- me

>"I am not saying that Walt and his thoughts are destroying this
>world. Remember my comments about the church hypocrites? Mankind
>is destroying Mankind. I just wanted to comment on his theory 
>about blaming God for our own world as it is today." -- Pat Wegner

I will agree and disagree.  When you say that Man will destroy Man you
are totally correct.  I will not blame any mythical being, nor will I
use any mythical being for an excuse.  The blame can be laid on Man's
doorstep.  However, I will not give the praise to the same mythical
being, for that praise likewise belongs to Man.

My note was saying that in regards to Personal Testaments, the statement 
that god is responsible for my present state of being is not a proof.  The
"holiness" that implies that a proof through association of "since I am good
and I believe that my god is for good, the good comes from my god"
is , my friend, not only circumstantial but circular.  My point in
return was that in the same reasoning, the evil in the world can be
laid at god's doorstep also, for, if he is the source of all, then he is
not only the source of good, but also the source of evil.  You might
try to call these "proofs", but I see no facts to draw these
"proofs" from.  Both the original arguement and my refuting arguement
are statements not of fact nor of theory but of circuitous logic.

But, like you Pat, I will not believe this (though I think that I will
blame Man while you will blame the pitchfork dealer.)  I WILL put the
blame for evil on Man, but I will also credit Man with the Good.  Our
(meant as Man inclusive) religions have perpetrated a lot of good (Catholic
Charities, Salvation Army, et al) but also their share of evils (the
Spanish Inquistion, Iran, murderous Holy Jihads et al).  Just as man
as a whole has done good and bad.

Man is responsible for his actions... there are no cop outs of "it's
god's will" or other such boloney.  I feel that I don't need a
surrogate responsible being.  

As to the "sympathy" that I will hear about how poor I am without a
god the father to protect me, and to lean against, sorry, I don't need
your crutch.

Thanks to everyone that is still here for keeping with my "testament".
I will read your thoughts with an open mind and your flames with a
jovial soul, for I am secure in my beliefs.


                          Still waiting for that bolt of lightning,

                                          Walt Pesch
                                      AT&T Technologies
                                     ihnp4!ihuxp!wbpesch